Delhi is the capital city of India so it is quite
natural for the music maestros of India to come here and showcase their
talent. Even in ancient India artists were given patronage by the kings
to exemplify their gift. Delhi is a place full of cultural enthusiasts
and musicians recognize this. Its hard hitting proof is the number of
auditoriums and stadiums where music and dance recitals regularly take
place.
These recitals take place throughout the year and there are special
festivals dedicated to special genres of music such as The Nun Eastwind
Music Festival for Indian rock music. Concerts are a very common feature
here. Almost all of the established bands and scores of promising new
bands perform at this three-day old festival. It is a small scale
version of the Woodstock Festival of New York. Similarly places like
Siri Fort Auditorium and Kamani Auditorium have regular shows of
Classical, Sufi, Raga-based music and dance performances.
Overtaking Kolkata and Mumbai, today Delhi has become the cultural
capital of the country. Artists who are trying to make a mark for
themselves are assembling here in search of distinction, luck and
approval. Some of the most renowned musicians, dancers, artists and
theatre celebrities in India live in Delhi. Some of these names are of
Yamini Krishnamurthy, Uma Sharma and Birju Maharaj among many others. In
fact all of the above mentioned have their own institutes for promoting
forthcoming talents and carry on the legacy of Indian dance forms.
Two exceptional ballets like Ram Lila and Krishna Katha are
choreographed every year by Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra to celebrate
the Hindu festivals of Janmashtmi and Dusshera. The past few years have
also seen the rise of Delhi as the epicenter of Rock in the country.
Every year a contest is held to encourage new rock bands and from 2004
onwards the prize has been won by Delhi based bands. Prestorika won in
2004, Superfuzz in 2005 and FTN in 2006-07; it has given them a platform
more than they could imagine because Prestorika did a support act for
'The Rasmus' tour of India and FTN did the opening gig for 'Iron
Maiden'.
